On The Coast
This weekend I visited the coast near Bergen where the first stop was Sotra. It was nice to get away from the snow and see green fields. The weather was pleasant as well, though there was a strong breeze at Hellesøy and Svellingen. So much so, it was difficult to sea-watch with tripod shake and a very choppy sea. One bird that seemed to utilize the wind was an immature White-tailed Eagle. It sailed the sky’s with the greatest of ease. A flock of 36 Great Cormorant sat huddled together on a rock, the birds on the outside, regularly getting covered by sea spray. Small flocks of Common Eider and Long-tailed Duck bobbed on the sea. Small flocks of birds were passing by further out to sea, but tripod shake made it impossible to ID them, so maybe it was time to head for some of the more sheltered bays. At Davøy I saw both Iceland and Glaucous Gulls. It is always nice to see these species, but it is great to see them side by side. Also at Davøy an immature White-tailed Eagle flew over. The gulls seemed to take it in their stride, but 5 Grey Heron that were standing on a rock took to the wing. There were several small flocks of Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser also sheltering in the bay. Just before I left a Eurasian Sparrowhawk pressed some small passerine out of a bush. I didn’t have a chance to ID as it twisted and turned to escape the out-stretched claws of the pursuing raptor. Next stop was Tjeldstø, things seemed quiet. 4 Greylag Geese hardly lifted their head when I got out of the car to watch them. I walked along the road watching some of the commoner species like Blackbird, Great Tit and Greenfinch. On reaching the end of the road I stopped to count a flock of Fieldfare. 19 birds in all, had all these spent the winter, or could I hope that some had just flew over the North Sea from England and spring migration was starting? I also visited the neighbouring island of Askøy. Here I made my way to Herdla, one of the best localities to watch birds in the county, and I was not to be disappointed. I had no sooner set up my scope when a Great-northern Diver swam past just 30m from the shore. Further out on the fjord 1 Common Guillemot and 3 Razorbill dived none stop in their search for something to eat. Once more there were small flocks of Common Eider and Long-tailed Duck as well as good numbers of Velvet Scoters, the males splendid in their all black plumage with characteristic white wingbar and orange bill. It was late when I arrived at Herdla and the light was fading fast. On the way back to the car a flock of 20 or so Common Starling flew into their night roost. I stopped a while and listened to their chattering – a nice way to end the trip.